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<\/a>First to greet Dr. Istv\u00e1n Gera was Dr. G\u00e1bor Gerber, the current dean of the faculty and the event\u2019s host, who listed some awards that Dr. Gera received during his career, including the \u00c1rk\u00f6vy Commemorative Medal, the Memorial Plaque for Hungarian Higher Education, the Pro Universitate Award, the Hungarian Order of Merit Knight\u2019s Cross (civilian), and the Jol\u00e1n B\u00e1n\u00f3czy memorial medal and award. Dr. Istv\u00e1n Gera is a member of several Hungarian and international associations: he was president of the Hungarian Dental Association, a secretary of the Hungarian Society of Periodontology, a member of the Hungarian Higher Education Accreditation Committee, and an accredited lecturer of the World Dental Federation\u2019s (FDI) Continuing Education Programme, listed Dr. G\u00e1bor Gerber. He is well-known on an international level and is the first representative of Hungarian periodontology, said the dean, noting that Dr. Istv\u00e1n Gera has been an active citizen of Semmelweis University for more then 50 years.<\/p>\nSeveral other peers and co-workers, as well as some students of Dr. Istv\u00e1n Gera spoke at the event, recalling personal memories and praising his career and life. These included Dr. J\u00f3zsef Mandl, professor emeritus of the Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Dr. P\u00e9ter Windisch, director of the Department of Periodontics, and Dr. D\u00e1niel Palkovics, a resident who greeted Dr. Gera in the name of the students.<\/p>\n\r\n [slb_exclude]\r\n <\/a>Returning from the United States, Dr. Istv\u00e1n Gera was the first in Hungary to perform corrective and aesthetic pre-prosthetic surgeries as well as certain after-care procedures, said rector Dr. B\u00e9la Merkely in his greeting remarks. He continued that Dr. Gera\u2019s name is linked to the introduction of modern periodontics to Hungary, and that it was with his leadership that Semmelweis University\u2019s Department of Periodontology was established, which today has one of the most comprehensive resident programs in Europe in its field. Dr. Istv\u00e1n Gera was dean of the Faculty of Dentistry from 2004 to 2010, was also a member of the university\u2019s Senate over several terms and is a dominant figure of not just the university, but the entire Hungarian dentistry profession, emphasized Dr. B\u00e9la Merkely. He noted that his reputation, knowledge and excellent skills as a lecturer were recently recognized with the awarding of the title of professor emeritus.<\/p>\n<\/a>Dr. \u00c1goston Sz\u00e9l, rector emeritus, talked of some personal memories related to Dr. Istv\u00e1n Gera, including his role in the university\u2019s public life, the times they spent together at senate meetings, and the sweeping speeches he made at FOK\u2019s graduation ceremonies. He noted that they still work together at present in two university bodies: the presidency of the Election Committee and the Semmelweis Society of Professors.<\/p>\n<\/a>Dr. P\u00e9ter Hermann, vice-rector for education and the director of the Department of Prosthodontics, said that Dr. Istv\u00e1n Gera brought home from the United States a kind of knowledge and attitude that was considered truly unique at the time. He recalled that he was a mentee of Dr. Gera as a PhD student, later worked under him as vice-dean, and also took part together in various international scientific events. He also showed some old photos of Dr. Gera\u2019s family, including his father Istv\u00e1n Gera, who was a tenor at the Hungarian Opera House.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\r\n <\/span>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\tGallery<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t
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